Tracking steady beneficial rain and moderate temperatures

TODAY: We'll start the day with high clouds overhead, as they blow in from a low that approaches to our southwest. This will gradually introduce showers from south to north, with a gradual increase in coverage and intensity through the day. Most of the morning will be dry for folks in Jefferson City and Columbia, but those near the Lake of the Ozarks and I-44 will see rain by late morning. Rain will spread area-wide during the late afternoon and into the evening, with light showers possible by the lunch hour in Jefferson City and Columbia. Still, better rainfall and more consistent rainfall arrives for the dinner hours and into the overnight. Temperatures will climb quickly until the rain arrives. This should allow for some low 50s and 40s, depending on the timing of rainfall.

TONIGHT: With plentiful moisture from widespread rain and cloud cover, not to mention south winds, we will stay warm overnight. Temperatures only fall into the low-to-mid 40s by sunrise Friday.

EXTENDED: Friday starts wet, but a break in the rain comes around daybreak or shortly after. This comes as the system lifts to the northeast, but the wrap-around portion of the low pressure will reinstate some light showers late in the day Friday. Clouds will be stagnant as well, leaving us feeling dreary and cool, with a high in the 40s. When it's all said and done, some near I-44 will have picked up an inch or more of rain, with some in the northwest seeing totals closer to a half an inch at best. We have spotty chances for rain over the weekend, specifically overnight Saturday into Sunday, and again Sunday night, but these are low confidence chances and are also expected to be very light. Temperatures are likely near or just cooler than normal, in the 40s and 50s over the weekend. We look to stay dry early next week, with relatively mild temperatures.